Shilo Sanders
{{Short description|American football player (born 2000)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
|name=Shilo Sanders
|image=2025-0118 Shilo Sanders.jpg
|image_size=
|caption=Sanders in 2025
|alt=
|currentteam= Tampa Bay Buccaneers
|number=28
|position=Safety
|birth_date={{birth date and age|2000|2|9}}
|birth_place = Dallas, Texas, U.S.
|height_ft=6
|height_in=0
|weight_lb=195
|high_school= Trinity Christian (Cedar Hill, Texas)
|college=South Carolina (2019–2020)
Jackson State (2021–2022)
Colorado (2023–2024)
|undraftedyear=2025
|pastteams=
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers ({{nfly|2025}}–present)
|status=Active
|highlights=
- Second-team All-SWAC (2021)
}}
Shilo Deion Sanders (born February 9, 2000) is an American football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for South Carolina, Jackson State, and Colorado. Sanders is the son of Pro Football Hall of Fame cornerback and Colorado head coach Deion Sanders.
Early life
Sanders is the oldest child of Deion Sanders and Pilar Sanders. His parents are divorced. He has two older half-siblings: Deiondra and Deion and two younger siblings, Shedeur and Shelomi.{{cite web | last=Kasabian | first=Paul | title=3-Star CB Shilo Sanders, Son of Deion Sanders, Commits to South Carolina | website=Bleacher Report | date=2019-01-22 | url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2817150-3-star-cb-shilo-sanders-son-of-deion-sanders-commits-to-south-carolina | access-date=2024-09-02 | archive-date=September 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902171653/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2817150-3-star-cb-shilo-sanders-son-of-deion-sanders-commits-to-south-carolina | url-status=live }} Sanders attended Trinity Christian High School in Cedar Hill, Texas, where he played safety, wide receiver and return specialist. His father was the offensive coordinator at Trinity Christian High School throughout his son's high school career.
In his high school career, he recorded 24 tackles, one pass deflection, five interceptions, and a fumble recovery, rushed for 45 yards and a touchdown, and hauled in 13 receptions for 199 yards and three touchdowns.{{cite web |title=Shilo Sanders Football Stats |url=https://www.maxpreps.com/tx/sachse/sachse-mustangs/athletes/shilo-sanders/football/stats/?careerid=4k3kkbgqtt4qa |website=MaxPreps.com |access-date=17 September 2023}} {{better source needed|date=December 2024}} Sanders committed to play college football at the University of South Carolina over offers from 14 other schools.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Dave |date=January 23, 2019 |title=Deion Sanders' son, Shilo, commits to play football at South Carolina |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/othercolleges/2019/01/23/deion-sanders-son-shilo-commits-play-south-carolina/2657956002/ |access-date=17 September 2023 |website=The Cincinnati Enquirer |archive-date=July 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702164330/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/othercolleges/2019/01/23/deion-sanders-son-shilo-commits-play-south-carolina/2657956002/ |url-status=live }}
College career
=South Carolina=
As a freshman at South Carolina in 2019, Sanders recorded two tackles and a fumble recovery.{{Cite web |title=Shilo Sanders 2019 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/shilo-sanders-1/gamelog/2019/ |access-date=17 September 2023 |website=Sports Reference |archive-date=July 21, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240721144108/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/shilo-sanders-1/gamelog/2019/ |url-status=live }} In week four of the 2020 season, he made ten tackles in a win over Auburn.{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Khari |date=May 3, 2022 |title=Which Jackson State player will be next NFL Draft pick under Deion Sanders in 2023? |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/jackson-state/2022/05/04/jackson-state-football-player-drafted-2023-nfl-draft-deion-sanders/9598652002/ |access-date=17 September 2023 |website=The Clarion-Ledger}} Sanders finished the shortened 2020 season with 32 tackles with one going for a loss, and a pass deflection.{{Cite web |title=Shilo Sanders 2020 Game Log |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/shilo-sanders-1/gamelog/2020/ |access-date=17 September 2023 |website=Sports Reference |archive-date=July 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240722153233/https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/shilo-sanders-1/gamelog/2020/ |url-status=live }} After the season, he entered the NCAA transfer portal.{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Dave |date=December 15, 2020 |title=Shilo Sanders, son of Pro Football Hall of Famer and ex-Red Deion, enters transfer portal |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/othercolleges/2020/12/15/shilo-sanders-south-carolina-db-son-hall-famer-former-reds-outfielder-deion-enters-transfer-portal/3901256001/ |access-date=17 September 2023 |website=The Cincinnati Enquirer |archive-date=February 4, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230204175009/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/college/othercolleges/2020/12/15/shilo-sanders-south-carolina-db-son-hall-famer-former-reds-outfielder-deion-enters-transfer-portal/3901256001/ |url-status=live }}
=Jackson State=
Sanders transferred to Jackson State to continue his collegiate career.{{Cite web |last=Milligan |first=Rashad |date=December 15, 2020 |title=Ex-Gamecock DB Shilo Sanders is headed to Jackson State to play for dad, Deion Sanders |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/jackson-state/2020/12/15/shilo-sanders-deions-son-announces-transfer-south-carolina-jsu/6490578002/ |access-date=17 September 2023 |website=The Clarion-Ledger}} In his first season with the Tigers in 2021 he notched 39 tackles, seven pass deflections, two forced fumble, and four interceptions which was tied for second in the Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC).{{Cite web |last=Vessels |first=Chandler |date=May 27, 2023 |title=Shilo Sanders announces transfer commitment to Colorado |url=https://www.on3.com/college/colorado-buffaloes/news/shilo-sanders-announces-transfer-commitment-colorado/ |access-date=17 September 2023 |website=ON3.com |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922103238/https://www.on3.com/college/colorado-buffaloes/news/shilo-sanders-announces-transfer-commitment-colorado/ |url-status=live }} For his performance on the season, Sanders was named second-team all-SWAC.{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Khari |date=November 29, 2021 |title=Was Shedeur Sanders snubbed on the All-SWAC team? Deion Sanders responds |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/swac/2021/11/29/deion-sanders-all-swac-football-teams-2021-shedeur-sanders-jackson-state-football/8800739002/ |access-date=17 September 2023 |website=USA Today |archive-date=January 29, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220129045342/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/swac/2021/11/29/deion-sanders-all-swac-football-teams-2021-shedeur-sanders-jackson-state-football/8800739002/ |url-status=live }} In 2022, he suffered an ACL injury{{cn|date=December 2024}} which caused him to only play in seven games, where he recorded 20 tackles and an interception.{{Cite web |last=Keith |first=J.T. |date=May 2, 2023 |title=Shilo Sanders is SWAC and will have a Jackson State degree to show for it |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/jackson-state/2023/05/02/shilo-sanders-jackson-state-college-degree-swac-deion-coach-prime/70173166007/ |access-date=17 September 2023 |website=The Clarion-Ledger}} After the season, Sanders entered the NCAA transfer portal for the second time in his career.{{Cite web |last=Newsome |first=Langston |date=December 18, 2022 |title=Shedeur Sanders, Shilo Sanders enter transfer portal following Celebration Bowl |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/jackson-state/2022/12/18/deion-sanders-sons-shedeur-shilo-transfer-portal/69738360007/ |access-date=17 September 2023 |website=The Clarion-Ledger}}
=Colorado=
Sanders transferred to Colorado to join his father and brother.{{Cite web |last=Reyes |first=Lorenzo |date=May 30, 2023 |title=All in the family! Shilo Sanders joins dad Deion, brother The Shedeur at Colorado |url=https://www.clarionledger.com/story/sports/college/jackson-state/2023/05/30/deion-sanders-son-shilo-colorado-transferring-jackson-state-shedeur/70268392007/ |access-date=17 September 2023 |website=The Clarion-Ledger}} In his team debut, he tallied ten tackles and helped the Buffaloes upset #17 TCU.{{cite web | last=Scott | first=Jelani | title=Shilo Sanders, Deion’s Elder Son, Had His Own Big Game in Colorado Debut | website=Star Local Media | date=2024-08-20 | url=https://starlocalmedia.com/sports/national/shilo-sanders-deion-s-elder-son-had-his-own-big-game-in-colorado-debut/article_51cde942-c5bb-5efd-a06e-12b3ce5b5fde.html | access-date=2024-09-02 | archive-date=September 2, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240902172645/https://starlocalmedia.com/sports/national/shilo-sanders-deion-s-elder-son-had-his-own-big-game-in-colorado-debut/article_51cde942-c5bb-5efd-a06e-12b3ce5b5fde.html | url-status=live }} In week three, Sanders had an 80-yard pick-six for Colorado's first score of the game and forced a fumble, helping Colorado beat their rival Colorado State.{{Cite web |last=Baugh |first=Peter |date=September 17, 2023 |title=Deion Sanders’ Colorado football team remains undefeated but loses Travis Hunter to injury |url=https://theathletic.com/4870101/2023/09/17/colorado-football-colorado-state-analysis/?amp=1 |access-date=17 September 2023 |website=The Athletic}}{{Cite web |last=McDaniel |first=Mike |date=September 16, 2023 |title=Shilo Sanders Evokes Father Deion With High-Stepping Pick-Six |url=https://www.si.com/.amp/college/2023/09/17/shilo-sanders-evokes-father-deion-with-high-stepping-pick-six |access-date=17 September 2023 |website=Sports Illustrated}}
=Statistics=
Professional career
{{NFL predraft
| height ft = 5
| height in = 11 3/4
| weight = 195
| dash = 4.52
| note = Values from Pro Day{{Cite web |url=https://draftscout.com/dsprofile.php?PlayerId=1051318&DraftYear=2025 |title=Shilo Sanders College Football Profile |website=DraftScout.com |access-date=April 8, 2025}}{{Cite web |url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/25181030-shilo-sanders-runs-452-40-yard-dash-colorado-pro-day-after-deions-car-challenge |title=Shilo Sanders Runs 4.52 40-Yard Dash at Colorado Pro Day After Deion’s Car Challenge |website=BleacherReport.com |access-date=April 8, 2025}}
}}
After going unselected in the 2025 NFL draft, Sanders signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent.{{cite web |title=Colorado safety Shilo Sanders signing with Buccaneers as UDFA |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/colorado-safety-shilo-sanders-signing-with-buccaneers-as-udfa |website=NFL |access-date=28 April 2025}}{{cite web|title=Bucs Fill Out Offseason Roster with 15 UDFA Signings|url=https://www.buccaneers.com/news/bucs-round-out-2025-offseason-roster-15-udfa-signings|author=Smith, Scott|website=Buccaneers.com|date=May 9, 2025}}
Personal life
Sanders' younger brother, Shedeur, was drafted in the 5th round of the 2025 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns.
An October 2016 lawsuit filed in Dallas District Court alleged Sanders attacked a security officer. Following a dispute about Sanders disrupting a high school class, John Darjean claimed Sanders slammed his elbow into Darjean's chest and continued to hit Darjean after he fell. The case went to trial in 2022, but Sanders did not appear for the trial.{{Cite web |last=Cheshire |first=Catie |date=May 24, 2024 |title=Shilo Sanders NIL Earnings at Question in Bankruptcy Case Related to High School Assault |url=https://www.westword.com/news/assault-bankruptcy-cases-bring-up-shilo-sanders-nil-earnings-20749123 |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=Westword |language=en |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528180653/https://www.westword.com/news/assault-bankruptcy-cases-bring-up-shilo-sanders-nil-earnings-20749123 |url-status=live }} Therefore, a default judgment was entered against Sanders.{{Cite web |last=Schrotenboer |first=Brent |date=May 25, 2024 |title=Deion's son Shilo Sanders facing legal mess after filing for bankruptcy |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2024/05/25/shilo-sanders-deion-sanders-colorado-buffaloes-football/73854038007/ |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528180653/https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/ncaaf/2024/05/25/shilo-sanders-deion-sanders-colorado-buffaloes-football/73854038007/ |url-status=live }} The court ordered Sanders to pay Darjean $11.89 million.
In October 2023, Sanders filed for bankruptcy, declaring he had $11.3 million in liabilities, including the court judgment against him. The bankruptcy petition stated Sanders had $478,000 in assets, including a 2023 Mercedes valued at $75,900 and necklaces valued at $75,000. Sanders’ attorney amended the petition in December 2023 to reduce the value of his assets to $320,000. This reduction included the removal of the high-value necklaces from the list of assets as they were alleged to have been on loan pursuant to an NIL deal with Saki Diamonds. Darjean is currently contesting the bankruptcy filing, alleging Sanders transferred funds received from NIL deals to his company, Big 21, LLC, as a way to improperly shield his assets from the judgment he obtained against Sanders personally. Sanders has admitted he did not disclose several social media NIL deals and that he is the sole owner of Big 21 LLC and SS21 LLC, but denied improperly failing to disclose contracts with those companies related to his NIL deals.
There were at least five investigations into the Sanders-Darjean incident. A 2024 examination by USA Today of those investigations reported that four of them "favored John Darjean". The fifth "initially sided" with Sanders, but after additional information surfaced, the investigators changed their position and decided that fault for the incident simply was "unable to be determined".
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [https://cubuffs.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=16687 Colorado Buffaloes profile]
- [https://gojsutigers.com/sports/football/roster/shilo-sanders/2078 Jackson State Tigers profile]
- [https://gamecocksonline.com/sports/football/roster/player/shilo-sanders-2/ South Carolina Gamecocks profile]
{{Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster navbox}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sanders, Shilo}}
Category:Players of American football from Tyler, Texas
Category:American football safeties
Category:South Carolina Gamecocks football players
Category:Jackson State Tigers football players
Category:Colorado Buffaloes football players